Wenger Fuels Transfer Talk As He Watches Mahrez During Pre-Season Game With PSG

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has admitted he is concerned that star man Riyad Mahrez is being distracted by constant reports linking him with a move to Arsenal.

The Italian manager believes the ongoing speculation is having a detrimental effect on the Algerian winger’s ability to stay focused ahead of the new season.

Mahrez shone for the unlikely Premier League champions last season, contributing 17 goals and 11 assists on his way to the PFA Player of the Year award.

Unsurprisingly his stand-out displays have quickly led to talk of an exit from the King Power Stadium, with Arsenal emerging as the frontrunners.

Ranieri has remained confident that Mahrez will stay put, but the attendance of Gunners boss Arsene Wenger at Leicester’s International Champions Cup defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday has not gone unnoticed.

And Ranieri has acknowledged that the 25-year-old is being effected by the rumours.

‘Maybe Riyad is distracted a bit by all of these rumours and speculation,’ Ranieri told reporters at a press conference.